Usually, drilling is a relatively easy process, as long as you have the right Bit and the right Drill. However, when it comes to Tile, it can be a whole different experience, since the material is both fragile and tough. As such, it’s imperative that you do your homework and find the right tools to ensure that you don’t damage your tile in the process.
Fortunately, we’ve done the heavy lifting for you, and today we’re going to look at the best drill bits for tile. Whether you’re remodeling your home or you simply want to mount something to your kitchen backsplash, each of these bits is designed with tile in mind.
5 Best Drill Bits for Tile
Picture | Name | Editor Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Bosch GT3000 Glass and Tile Set, 8-Piece | |||
BLENDX Diamond Drill Bits - Glass and Tile Hollow Core Drill Bits | |||
Neiko 00823A Diamond Grit Hole Saw Drill Bit Set | |||
Vermont American 13310 4-Piece Glass & Tile Drill Bit Set | |||
Drillpro 15 Pcs Diamond Hole Saw Tile Ceramic Glass Porcelain Marble Drill Bit |
How to Choose a Drill Bit for Tile
Tip
This is the most important part of any drill bit, particularly when dealing with such gentle material as tile. If you don’t have the right tip, then you will invariably crack or damage your project, leading to a whole host of problems. For the most part, there are two kinds of tips that work well for this type of job.
● Carbide: these bits have a large, pointed tip that is bigger than the shaft. They work well for glass and tile because they don’t walk very easily and they help prevent cracking. Carbide is hard enough to penetrate without causing damage, but it can also fracture if you’re not careful.
● Diamond: being the hardest material on earth, diamonds should make short work of your tile without any problems. Typically, though, diamond tipped bits are used for coring tile and creating large holes, rather than traditional means.
Tips for Drilling Through Tile
If you’re still new to the idea of punching holes through your ceramic tiles, then you want to follow these instructions before you get started. This will ensure that you don’t wind up cracking or damaging your final project.
● Go Slow: unlike other materials, higher rpms can be dangerous. If your drill starts to get warm, shut it off immediately.
● Always Lubricate: as soon as the tile or the bit gets dry, you’re in trouble. As such, keep a squeeze bottle of water handy so that you can lubricate on a constant basis.
● When Using Diamond Tips, Start at an Angle: instead of driving directly down into the tile or glass, you should make a divot at an angle and then move to a perpendicular position. This will ensure a clean cut.
● Wear Goggles: water and dust will be flying at your face while you’re drilling, so don’t let it get into your eyes.
● Use Wood as a Backing: this is only applicable if you are drilling into loose tile. Otherwise, just be hyper aware of how thick the tile is so that you don’t start penetrating the wall or floor. This can damage your bit.
● Use Tape and Plastic to Cover the Area: unless you want to clean up a huge mess later, you want to protect the surrounding space around the spot in which you’re working. It will make your job a lot easier in the end.
● Use Tape as a Buffer: to prevent cracking, mark your drill spot with some tape and a marker. If you are using a core style bit, this is unnecessary.
Recommended Best Drill Bits for Tile Reviews
Bosch GT3000 Glass and Tile Set, 8-Piece
Editor Rating:
When looking for high-quality drill bits, you can be sure to find brands that will provide all of the toughness and reliability that you need to get the job done. Bosch is one of those brands, meaning that these tips are already above the competition give their namesake. If you want a straightforward and easy to use bit, these are for you.
With this set, you get eight different bits, from ⅛ to ½ inches.
The tips are diamond-reinforced carbide, which means that you won’t have to worry about them fracturing or wearing down anytime soon. The shaft is only made of steel, though, so be sure that you utilize proper techniques while drilling so that you don’t break the shank. Fortunately, they are triple-sided to reduce slipping and increase the performance of the bit overall.
In the end, these bits are perfect for drilling through tile for wires and other components. They are not designed for wood or metal, though, so be sure that you stop as soon as you’ve made it through so that you don’t damage or wear down the tip.
Pros
- Durable carbide tip
- Eight size options available
- ⅛ to ½ inches
- Diamond reinforced head for longer life
- Triple-sided shank to reduce slipping
- Pointed tip won’t walk on surfaces
- Durable steel shaft
- Robust plastic carrying case
- Bits are clearly marked by size
Cons
- May have a hard time on porcelain and other delicate materials
- Not designed to drill too deep into the tile (more than a couple of inches)
BLENDX Diamond Drill Bits - Glass and Tile Hollow Core Drill Bits
Editor Rating:
As we mentioned above, most diamond bits are designed for coring material, rather than penetrating in the traditional method. This allows you to work more efficiently and keep the center of the hole if necessary. Since they are made from diamond, they work well on all ceramics and glass. However, they are not built for masonry work.
With this set, you get ten different bits that offer a broad range of sizes. The smallest is six millimeters, and the largest is fifty. The shaft on each bit is made of hardened carbon steel, and they all come with a side hole so that you can remove any leftover slug from the center of the core after you’re done drilling. Overall, these are great for making deep, wide holes for any purpose.
Pros
- Core-style drill bits
- Durable diamond coated tips
- Ten size options available
- 6mm to 50mm
- Works on all tile and glass, even light stone
- Durable carbon steel shaft
- Side holes make it easy to remove material from core
Cons
- Tip may slide on smoother surfaces, such as glass
- No carrying case included
- On rare occasions, they may start to rust
Neiko 00823A Diamond Grit Hole Saw Drill Bit Set
Editor Rating:
Next, we have another set of core drill bits that are designed to make wide, deep holes in tile and glass projects. Although you don’t get quite as many size options as you do with the BlendX bits, you do get nickel plating on the shaft, meaning that these are built to last longer than the competition.
Overall, as far as diamond-tipped bits go, these are about average.
The five size options are ideal for most applications, and the side holes make it easy to remove slug material after you’re done drilling. The shanks are a bit on the shorter end, but they are fine for most projects. While we would prefer a thicker coating to ensure longer shelf life, these are perfect for most DIY enthusiasts.
Pros
- Core-style drill bits
- Durable diamond coated tips
- Five size options available
- 5/32 to ½ inches
- Durable steel shank
- Hole on the side for removing slug
- Nickel plating to increase shelf life
Cons
- In rare cases, the diamond coating may rub off eventually
- No carrying case included
Vermont American 13310 4-Piece Glass & Tile Drill Bit Set
Editor Rating:
When drilling through tile, you have to make sure that your bit doesn’t start walking or slipping as you go; otherwise, you could damage the surface or even break the bit. So, with that in mind, this set of four from Vermont American come with spear shaped tips so that they will penetrate almost immediately. To keep them in robust shape, they are reinforced with carbide as well.
Overall, if you want something quick and reliable, these bits can do the job. While we would prefer a few more size options (as well as a carrying case), the ones provided are perfect for most projects.
The bits themselves come in metric measurements, so be sure to double check the width before you start drilling.
Pros
- Spear-type bits
- Ideal for penetrating glass and tile
- Durable carbide tips
- High carbon steel shafts
- Works in ⅜ inch chucks
- Four size options available
- Five to eight millimeters
Cons
- In rare cases, the tip may wear down after repeated use
- No carrying case
- Sizes are in millimeters, which may cause conversion problems
Drillpro 15 Pcs Diamond Hole Saw Tile Ceramic Glass Porcelain Marble Drill Bit
Editor Rating:
Our final set is another round of diamond-tipped core-style drill bits. In this case, you get fifteen size options from which to choose, as well as durable nickel-plated steel that is guaranteed to last longer than the competition.
As with most tile diamond bits, these sizes are in millimeters. The smallest is six, and the largest is fifty.
They have thick coatings on the tip to last longer, and they each come with side holes for removing slug after you’ve finished your project. Like the other sets on this list, these bits are perfect for DIY enthusiasts.
Pros
- Core-style drill bits
- Durable diamond coated tips
- Nickel plated for longer life
- Durable steel shafts
- Fifteen sizes options available
- 6mm to 50mm
- Side holes for removing slug
Cons
- In rare cases, the coating may rub off
- Millimeter sizes may not convert exactly
- No carrying case
Final Verdict
If you want the best drill bit for any kind of tile or glass project, we have to recommend the Bosch GT3000 or the BlendX sets. Both of these collections provide high-quality results and are built to last longer than the competition, making them a worthy addition to any tile project you may work on in the future.
The post 5 Best Drill Bits For Tile – Guide and Reviews appeared first on Tool Koo.
